Statewide smoking ban gets a push

Rep. Susan Westrom, a Democrat from Lexington, has filed a bill for a statewide public smoking ban. It's her third attempt.

As I reported earlier this week, more Kentuckians are supporting this kind of legislation every year. A poll released on Monday estimated public support at 54 percent. But the bill's chances of getting a vote this session still look slim.

Regardless, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids has just launched an interesting campaign directed straight at Kentucky. "Kentucky has a lot to be proud of, but not the fact that we have the nation's highest smoking and lung cancer rates. It's hurting our health and our economy," the ad states.

Kind of a clever strategy. We’ll see whether it gives HB 193 a boost.